Little Falls transcript., 1887-05-13
Wouldn't Give Up Her Ticket.

A lady, who is now in the prime OF
wit and wisdom, often tells the true
story of her first journey by rail. She
was born in the interior of New Eng
la,sl State, and there received her
early education. 1t was not the custom
Of the village good people to travel
extensively, and, therefore, it happen
ed that little Sarah, for the first six
teen years other life, never entered the
steam-cars: Soon after her sixteenth
birthday, the family talked matters
over, and came to the conclusion that
it would be well for Sarah to be-
come acquainted with some unfa-
mlliar corner of the world.
Accordingly her trunk was packed,
and, with much fear ana pleasurable
excitement, set out for the home OF
an aunt, fifty miles distant. When
her father bade her good-by at the
station, he said, in the act OF placing
ticket and baggage check in her hand,
Snow, Sarah, be a good girl, and
don't get imposed upon. Be careful
of your ticket, and don't give up your
check to anybody till the end of your
Journey
Sarah stepped on board, feeling
deeply the responsibilities Of her new
position. She placed both ticket and
cheek in her pocket, and, in spite OF
herself, forgot all about them in
watching the trees whiz past.
Presently the condoctor came on
his round OF inspection, and stopped
beside her. Sarah glanced up at him;
then, finding his tace unfamiliar, she
renewed her survey of the landscape.
"Your ticket" said the official.
Her fathers parting injunction at
once recurred to her, but in SO confus-
ed a form that, as memory reported
it, the caution ran, "Do not give up
your ticket
The youthful travellers fears arose
in arms, her Indignation also. This
official, who would take advantage OF
her inexperiance, should know that
she was not altogether ignorant in
worldly matters.
"Sir," she replied in q bitter tone,
II shall not give up my tickrt.''
The conductor looked slightly sur
prised; it was evident that he was al
SO amused. "But I shall be obliged to
see it," he demonstrated.
II shall keep my ticket until the end
of my Journey" said the traveller,
mentally blessing her father for hav-
ing enlightened her as to the ways Of
the world.
The conductor, from sheer force OF
amazement, went on, but only to re-
turn when he had in some degree re-
covered himself. This time, it was to
speak in an uncompromising tone; he
had determined that red cheeks and
angry black eyes should no longer
tempt him to swerve from duty.
"Allow me to punch your ticket"
Ominous word-punch! Was her tick
ct to be tampered with, and, perhaps,
rendered incapable OF carrying her to
her journeys end? The world was
harder to deal with than she had
imagined; but she was firm.
II shall not give up my ticket, sir"
she returned, recurring in thought to
her fathers caution, and thus fortity-
ing herself anew. "You shan't lay a
finger on it till get to East Davis"
The official persisted, though with
great good-nature In fact it was i'm
possible to preserve proper severity
Of aspect when his face, in spite ofhim-
self, relaxed into a smile.
"But I must see the ticket" he re.
peated. s...
Sarah made no answer, but her cheeks
grew scarlet with determination, and
She tightly grasped the piece of paste
board, as it lay at the bottom OF her
pocket. %,@ 1880
'"Then shall be obliged to put you
off at the next station" suggested he,
as a. last resort. y..,.s@1 F. f =. -"
Sarah gathered her forces for last
rebuff. g~: III
perhaps, sir" she retorted, in a
clear and penetrating tone, perhaps
you think me inexperienced in travel
ling .ss.. -az, y -, s !.
Here she became aware of q litter
across the aisle. She stopped short,
to glance tha- way Yes, her fellow
passengers at her side, and in front,
were smiling, and there surely arose
a subdued laugh from the rear. A
iSdreadful suspicion flashed upon her
that she might be in the wrong, but
just as her cheeks were growing hot
with the increasing certainty, q dear
old lady left her seat, to lean over the
miserable CIR, and whisper, It's all
right. dear child. Give it to him. !"
ith one despairing exclamation,
Here, takeit!' Sarah thrust the hate
ful bit Of green paste board into the
conductor 'shand. 81.
Il Is safe to say that she busted her